Hampton Bays School District Honors Veterans With Special Ceremony

The Hampton Bays School District continued its tradition of honoring veterans by holding a ceremony on Sept. 11 at the elementary school. The event recognized all of the heroes of Sept. 11, as well as the service of Mr. James Nicholson, a Korean War Veteran.

Nicholson, who is a lifelong resident of Hampton Bays and Class of 1951 graduate, enlisted in the Navy in 1952 while the war in Korea was still raging. He served as an airplane mechanic aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Ticonderoga, until he was honorably discharged in 1956.

Upon returning home, Nicholson, who has four sons with his wife, Katherine Berglin, joined the Hampton Bays Police Force, where he served until 1964. At that time, the Hampton Bays Police Force was absorbed into Southampton Town Police Force and Nicholson continued as an officer until his retirement in 1985.

Nicholson also served as president of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and as a Hampton Bays Fire Department volunteer. This year marks his 50th year of service to that organization.

During the ceremony, fourth-grade students read essays and poems about 9/11 and excerpts from Nicholson’s biography. Students also performed the song, Grateful to be an American, written by Teresa Jennings.

“It is important as a public school to take lessons outside of books and computers and learn real lessons of freedom and sacrifice,” said Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen.

Also during the event, members of the Hampton Bays Fire Department placed a memorial wreath and the American Flag was raised in honor of Nicholson and the heroes of 9/11.

Present during the ceremony were members of the American Legion Hand-Aldrich Post 924, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5350, members of the Hampton Bays Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance and The Southampton Town Police Department. Public figures in attendance included New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr., Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, Southampton Highway Superintendent Alex Greger, Southampton Town Board Members Brad Bender, Bridget Flemming, Stan Glinka and Christine Scalera. Also in attendance was Hampton Bays School Board President Christopher Garvey.